N.C. discusses emergency response to the Gulf oil spill

Gov. Bev Perdue on June 15 joined officials from the N.C. Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety, the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard to discuss the state's ongoing preparations in the event oil from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico reaches North Carolina shores. A briefing in the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh was held for state legislators and another session for local elected officials, local government managers and public safety officials from coastal counties.

Perdue stressed that experts, including the Coast Guard and U.S. Environment Protection Agency, believe there is only a remote chance that any oil will reach North Carolina shores. If any oil does reach North Carolina, the state is prepared. North Carolina had a plan in place to deal with an oil spill long before the situation in the Gulf, and that plan is being updated to handle the current situation. Perdue reminded participants that North Carolina beaches are clean and open for business this summer season.

"I believe North Carolina has the best emergency management team in the country. We have proven over and over we can handle whatever emergency comes our way," said Perdue. "No matter how small the chance that oil could reach North Carolina, my goal, as always, is for us to be prepared."

Additionally, the N.C. Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety has launched a Web page dedicated to providing information and useful links regarding the Gulf oil spill. The page is located at the department's home page at www.nccrimecontrol.org and can be reached by clicking on the Gulf Oil Spill tab.